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Born
4 Feb. 1813
at
Pen-lan
,
Llandovery
, son of the
Rev.RhysJones
,
Ffaldybrenin
. At the age of 15 he went to
Neuadd-lwyd (near Aberayron) Academy
, where he remained for two or three years. After a short period in a college at
Blackburn
he
kept school
at
Ffaldybrenin
,
1833-4
. He then went to
Carmarthen Academy
,
1835-8
. Afterwards he ministered at
Machynlleth
(for about six months),
Frampton-on-Severn
,
1835-9
,
Kilsby, Northants.
,
1840-9
,
Birmingham
,
1850
,
Bolton
,
1851-5
,
Rhayader
,
1857-60
,
Tonbridge Chapel
(
London
),
1861-6
,
Rhayader
(a second time),
1867
,
Cae-bach
(
Llandrindod
),
1868-87
,
Christ Church
,
Llandrindod
,
1878-89
. He d.
4 Feb. 1889
.

KilsbyJones
was regarded as one of the most notable men of his period — ‘famous’ in the eyes of his admirers but ‘odd’ in those of his critics. He was different from other people in his mode of life, his dress, his manner of expressing himself; his personality may also be described as most original. Rules, regulations, accepted modes, and customs — he was above all such things. In his personality bravery and gentleness were combined. He hated all deceit and hypocrisy. He
wrote much to weekly and denominational journals
; he also brought out (
1867
) an edition of the works of
WilliamWilliams
of
Pantycelyn
.